A number of ’deliberate’ fires targeted against one person have been set in Mona Street, Douglas, police say.

Police patrols have been stepped up in the area and detectives investigating the fires are looking at CCTV footage and carrying out door-to-door inquiries.

A white Ford Focus parked in Mona Street was set alight at about 9.15pm on Sunday, January 6.

And fires were lit at the front door of a property in Mona Street at an unknown time the following day and at 2.50am on Wednesday (January 9).

Detective Inspector Neil Craig from the criminal investigation department said police were carrying out a joint investigation with the fire service.

’Fortunately our colleagues from the Fire and Rescue Service were able to deal with these fires quickly and efficiently, and as a result no one was hurt during these incidents,’ he said.

’However, they did have the potential to have caused significant harm and we are extremely eager to trace those responsible.’

He added: ’At this time I believe these fires are connected and to have been specifically targeted towards one individual, however I appeal to anyone who was in the area of Mona Street between these dates and times who may have noticed anyone acting suspiciously, or who may have seen anything at all out of the ordinary, to please get in touch with us.

’I would also like to take this opportunity to ask people to remain vigilant while these investigations are ongoing and report anything they feel is suspicious.’

Anyone with information should contact police headquarters on 631212 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.